The penalty call that sparked the San Jose Sharks' stunning comeback win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs shouldn't have happened.

The NHL apologized to Vegas for an incorrect five-minute major and game misconduct against Cody Eakin for a cross-check to Joe Pavelski in the third period, ESPN.com'sGreg Wyshynski reported Thursday.

The hit occurred midway through the third period. Pavelski fell to the ice, and blood began flowing from his head.

Wyshynski noted Golden Knights head coach Gerard Gallant said the on-ice officials told him they thought Eakin hit Pavelski in the head with his stick, though replays showed he hit Pavelski in the chest.

TheNHL's official rulebook states a major penalty is determined at the referee's discretion "based on the degree of violence of the check, to a player guilty of charging an opponent."

Per ESPN.com'sEmily Kaplan, the officials on the ice who assessed the penalty, Dan O'Halloran and Eric Furlatt, won't officiate in the second round of the playoffs.

After Eakin went to the penalty box, the Sharks scored four goals in four minutes to take a 4-3 lead. Vegas tied the score in the final minute of regulation before Barclay Goodrow won it for San Jose in overtime.